Expecting Diwali gift, says sister

The assurance of Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari that he would consider the case of Sarabjit Singh has made the Indian prisoner's sister, Dalbir Kaur, hopeful again.

Reacting to the positive news from the neighbouring country where Indian foreign minister is on a visit, she said here on Friday that she was hopeful that Pakistan would give a Diwali gift to India by setting her brother free. Sarabjit is condemned to death in Pakistan as foreign spy.

Dalbir Kaur, who for years has tried to prove that her brother is a victim of mistaken identity, appreciated the effort of Indian foreign minister, SM Krishna. "I expect that both foreign ministers will discuss the issue at Saturday's meeting" she said. "I hope Pakistan does not play a cruel joke on us like last time."

In Islamabad, PTI quoted Sarabjit's lawyer Awais Sheikh as saying that Sarabjit could be released before PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Pakistan: "I have filed a fresh mercy petition immediately after the release of Khalid Chishti, and I have given reasons to the honourable president for pardoning him."